About Maiden Cane
Maiden Cane was formed in the summer of 2013 by bass player Jim Kiefer and guitarist Joey Gilbert. Fusing pieces of 2 bands together, Kiefer and Gilbert’s goal was to create a band of professional, experienced musicians that would excel at recreating the sound, feel and excitement of the arena rock concerts of the 70’s and 80’s. This meant more than just covering classic rock. It meant meticulously covering some of the extremely complex music of the time with surgical precision, and putting on a larger than life stage show, where the band is as incredible to watch as they are to listen to.
With a hard rule of only playing at theaters, larger venues and opening for national touring bands, the newly formed band set out to change the musical landscape of Southwest Florida. Their performances were widely praised and word of mouth spread quickly. It was not long before the band attained a sizeable, loyal following, earning the reputation of being Southwest Florida’s Favorite Arena Rock Band.
Soon after, MC started receiving opportunities to open for national touring bands (such as Night Ranger, Eddie Money, Quiet Riot) and play at well known festivals and higher end venues. which not only served to further the bands reputation and following, but also gave the boys the opportunity to play alongside many of their rock n roll heroes.
Maiden Cane has been going strong for over 10 years, attracting huge crowds, headlining prestigious festivals and events, and even recording original music with tremendous success. While the group has become slightly more selective about show opportunities, they continue to rock as hard as ever with an incomparable, high energy performance, soaring vocals and an unmatched ability to recreate the beloved experience of the huge arena rock show!
Credits
Maiden Cane has opened for Eddie Money, 38 Special, Night Ranger, Quiet Riot, Warrant, Lita Ford, Queensryche, Autograph, Firehouse, Slaughter, Molly Hatchet, Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Brian Howe (Bad Company), Foghat, Pat Travers, Blackfoot, Soul Asylum, Fuel, Saving Abel as well as co-headlined with many national touring tribute acts.
MC has headlined many well known Florida festivals and events such as the Florida State Fair (Tampa), Cape Coral Bike Night, Thunder by the Bay, DeSoto Seafood Festival, Paragon Festivals in several cities, the FAME Festival (Englewood), Venice Shark Tooth Festival, Venice Sun Fiesta, Venice Chalk Festival, North Port Freedom Fest (at the Brave’s Stadium), North Port Poinsettia Fest, Haunting on the Harbor (Port Charlotte), Englewood Bike Night, Englestock, Legion Festivals, Big Cat Habitat Jungle Jam, Moon Over Myakka, Groveland Founders Festival, Sun N’ Fun resort – and opened for national touring bands at the Coconut Festival, HallowWheels Festival, St. Pete Beach Bikefest, and more.
In addition, Maiden Cane has played sold out shows at the Englewood Event Center, Cultural Center of Charlotte County, Charlotte Harbor Conference Center, Englewood Event Center, Venice Community Center, the Genesis Center, Troll Music Performance Venue – and been a mainstay at larger area venues such as the Twisted Fork, TT’s at the 4 Points Sheraton, White Buffalo Saloon, several Harley Davidson dealerships, and more.
Cliff Randi, Lead Vocals
Born and raised in Connecticut, Randi began his music career at age 14 when he picked up the guitar. Soon after, he defaulted to singing as it came much easier. At 18, he was playing in the clubs with some of the last living hair bands in CT and NY. Over the years, he played alongside Richie Scarlett (Frehley’s Comet, Rat Race Choir, Mountain), shared rehearsal space with the band that would eventually become Steelheart, and jammed in Richie Blackmore’s house in Westport, CT. Eventually, grunge music took over and Randi found himself walking away from the scene. He spent many years with a successful wedding band, which served to diversify his voice and expand his stage presence. In 2008, Randi returned to his rock roots, joining an arena rock style band called the MixCT with veteran keyboardist Ed Burns (Dennis Dunaway Project, Sapphire). In 2013, Randi and his family relocated to FL for financial reasons. Thanks to a post on Bandmix, Randi was given the opportunity to join Maiden Cane one week before opening for Warrant at the Englewood Event Center. (Image credit Brian Krueser)
Joey Gilbert, Lead Guitar
Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, Gilbert started his musical career in 1985 as a bass player in the High School Jazz band. It was not long before he made the switch to guitar. Eventually, he relocated to southwest Florida where he played all over the state with Wicked Gypsy. They were inches away from a record deal but circumstances within the band prevented the final signing. A few years later, Gilbert was tapped by Sam Andrew (founding member of Big Brother and the Holding Company) to tour with the Sam Andrew Band. In 2012, Gilbert attended the Monsters of Rock Cruise where he beat out hundreds of other guitarists and was crowned Guitar God Champion by guitar legends Vinnie Moore (UFO) and Jeff Labar (Cinderella). In 2013, Gilbert was playing with his local band, Shoestring Rocket, when he met Jim Kiefer, and the two began discussing plans for the band that would become Maiden Cane. (Image credit Brian Krueser)
Billy Day, Keyboards
From Valparaiso, Indiana comes Maiden Cane’s keyboard master, Billy Day. Day began playing piano/keyboard at age 14 in his parents wedding band. In his teen years, he helped form the band, Digital Hair, who became a school High School favorite and to this day they still reunite to play at class reunions. In their heyday, they released a single and video that received huge airplay throughout Indiana, and opened for many legendary 80’s bands including the Romantics. A graduate from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Day is adept at many styles of playing from jazz to classical. He is the keyboard tech for Cruise to the Edge Prog Rock Cruises, where he regularly plays with members of Saga, Marillion, Glass Hammer and in 2022, he performed with Jon Anderson of Yes. Day also owns Troll Music in Venice – a favorite local music store, venue and hot spot right in the heart of Venice. (Image credit Brian Krueser)
Jim Kiefer, Bass Guitar
Born in Peoria, Illinoise, Kiefer was raised in area famous for its concert venues and riverfront stage. He picked up the bass at 16 and spent the 80’s and 90’s touring with the Eddie Booe Band and then forming Illinoise super group Exit. Over the years, Kiefer opened for and played beside many rock-n-roll greats including REO Speedwagon, Eddie Money, .38 Special, Kansas, Joan Jett, Foghat and Bad Company. In the early 2000’s, Kiefer played alongside of REO Speedwagon guitarist, Gary Richrath in a revival of his solo project. In 2008, Kiefer left the Riverfront and retired to Florida, but it wasn’t long before he found his way back to the stage! (Image credit Brian Krueser)
Rick Duncan, Drums
Born in Columbus, OH, Duncan started playing drums professionally in 1979. In 1986, he began producing and recording his own original material, catching the attention of several notable producers, leading to the establishment of Paradox Studios, which remains one of Southwest Florida’s most well known and prominent recording facilities. Duncan co-founded progressive rock band, Cryptic Vision with monster vocalist, Todd Plant, and was signed to ProgRock records for a 4 album deal that included a live album. Cryptic Vision opened for Kansas, Asia, Toto, the Flower Kings and many others. In 2018, Duncan sat in with Maiden Cane as a fill in drummer, and after a stellar performance, he was promptly offered the full time drummer position. (Image credit Brian Krueser)